Geology Explorer: Virtual Geologic Mapping and Interpretation Bernhardt Saini-Eidukat a, Donald P. Schwert a, Brian M. Slator b, Otto Borchert b, Robert Cosmano b, Guy Hokanson b, Carson Rittel a, and Shannon Tomac c a Dept. of Geosciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND b Dept. of Computer Science, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND c Dept. of Art and Design, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead, MN Abstract The World Wide Web Instructional Committee at NDSU is developing a range of Virtual Environments for Education. One of these, the Geology Explorer, is a synthetic, internet-based, educational environment (“Planet Oit”) where students carry out geologic investigations as a field geologist would. The newest module provides students an authentic, spatially oriented, geologic mapping experience. Planet Oit can be visited on the internet at Base Maps for Adding Data and Creating a Geologic Map “aerial photo”topographic map How Do Players Create a Geologic Map? Tutorials for Learning the Concepts of Geologic Mapping are Available in the Environment Results of Tests (in this case, acid reactivity) Detail Images for Samples Players Identify Outcrops Using Tests A Player (appearance can be changed) Markers Coded to Rock Type Show Location of Identified Outcrops You Are Here Outcrop Locations are Shown with Markers Player Creates a Geologic Map Based on Outcrop Locations, and Can Get Immediate Feedback The Virtual Environment promotes: Practical planning and decision making Problem solving Investigation of real-world content Understanding the scientific method Mature thinking The Virtual Environment is: MultiUser Exploratory Spatially-oriented Educational Role-playing Games: “Learning-by-doing” ExperiencesThe Technical Approach Networked, internet based, client-server simulation UNIX-based MOO (Multi-User Dungeon, Object Oriented) Java-based clients What is “Planet Oit” ? Similar to Earth, but opposite the Sun Students “land” on Oit to undertake exploration Authentic Geoscience goals - e.g., to locate, identify, and report valuable minerals; to create and interpret a geologic map ~50 places: desert, cutbank, cave, etc. ~100 different rocks and minerals ~15 field instruments: rock pick, acid bottle, magnet, etc. Software Tutors: intelligent agents for equipment, exploration, and deduction Background Spatial Navigation Using Maps and Rendered 3-D Scenes Player Uses Pen to Draw Map Interpretation Automated Assessment and Advice Geology Explorer research supported by NSF grants DUE , EAR , DUE , ITR and EPSCoR , and and FIPSE P116B WWWIC at NDSU Paul JuellDonald Schwert Phillip McCleanBrian Slator Bernhardt Saini-EidukatAlan White Jeff ClarkLisa Daniels The Future More advanced concepts such as thermobarometry can be learned by the student carrying out virtual microprobe analyses of minerals in the metamorphic rocks. For example the student will be able to obtain virtual microchemical analyses of garnet-biotite pairs, and perhaps together with hornblende analyses be able to estimate maximum P-T conditions to which these rocks were subjected. Acknowledgments Special thanks are due to John Bauer for Java graphical client development, to Rebecca Potter for graphical development, to Bryan Bandli, Julia Karst-Gray, Ned Kruger, Joy Turnbull, Dean Vestal, Mindy Sue Vogel, Jeff Walsh, and Jane Willenbring for geology content development and assessment, to Mark Tinguely, who saved our world when its universe imploded, and to Dave Schmidt for the name: Planet Oit. Rejects the notion of standardized multiple choice tests Pre-game narrative-based survey short problem-solving stories students record their impressions and questions Similar post-game survey with different but analogous scenarios Surveys analyzed for improvement in problem- solving Assessment